Ruston Way is one of the City’s most popular destinations, comprised of linear parks and recreation, interspersed with water enjoyment uses and commercial offices. However, the design of the waterfront dates from the early 1980’s and the use of the waterfront has changed significantly. The City of Tacoma and Metro Parks Tacoma have signed a memorandum of understanding to fund a mobility study and capital improvement plan for Ruston Way. This project would provide a complementary design challenge: to seek ways of re-integrating the gulches along Ruston Way with the waterfront. There are four gulches along Ruston Way: Garfield, Mason, Buckley and Puget Gulches. The final design concept would reconnect the natural topography and hydrology of the gulches to Commencement Bay while also maintaining the corridor transportation and recreation functions.
Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.
Livable City Year Contact Info
Teri Thomson Randall
Program Manager
terir@uw.edu
206.221.9240
University Faculty Contact
Nancy Rottle
Professor
nrottle@u.washington.edu
206.685.0521
Local Government / Community Contact
Stephen Atkinson
Tacoma Planning and Development Services